​﻿I recently strolled into Target at around 11 am one morning in my usual yoga pants and t-shirt and like so many other mornings I had a short list and a hand-basket full of crap that wasn’t on the list. I’m not sure of what made this particular morning different, though. It’s possible that my smile may have been extra-welcoming or I may have seemed extra-relaxed. Whatever it was, it proved to be magnetic.

One of the normal morning cashiers I had seen several times in the past decided to go beyond our usual interaction about my Red Card making me eligible for an extra 5% off, coupons and Cartwheel and ask me if I was off from work.

“No ma’am. I work from home and I am just taking an early lunch break to pick up a few things.”

“I want to work from home, but I don’t know where to start.”​

Her eyes lit up as if that was the conversation that made her trip into work that morning worth it. There was a reason our conversation went beyond the usual and opened up a new world of possibilities.

She went on to say she has wanted to work from home for a while, but she didn’t know where to start and didn’t have time to figure it out. She had resolved to continue to earn her pay being less-than-fulfilled…less-than-comfortable… and less-than-enthusiastic. She knew there was a better way to earn a living while balancing life, but that was the extent of it.

She simply didn't know where to start.

Most Americans don’t like their jobs, yet they don’t make a change. They know better opportunities exist, but the path to reaching those opportunities is unclear.

Many who do make a change don’t give enough thought to what their ideal position looks like and the joy they experience in their new role is often short-lived. I know because I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to want more…to want something different…to want balance and not know where to start.

“If you discovered what you want to do, start finding people who do what you want to do with excellence.” -John Maxwell

That’s where you start.

You surround yourself with those working in the industry that interests you.

You surround yourself with those in the roles you’d like to pursue.

You surround yourself with those who excel and do so with some level of sanity.

Please note the importance of sanity because there is absolutely no point in busting your behind for the corner office if you’re miserable while you’re there because your quality of life at home is suffering. (Sound like anyone you know?)

That’s where you start, but that’s not where you stay.

​It’s not enough to do the activities to help you reach your ideal position and that’s it.

It’s not enough to send your resume to tons of people and make tons of connections on LinkedIn.

You have to build on those relationships. You have to be the best employee you can be in your current role to ensure the reference (if requested) is favorable. You have to want it and be willing to put the work in to get it, keep it, and grow while you’re in it.

I didn’t always know that, but I know now. My gift to you is to share what I’ve learned along the way in hopes that it better positions you for success as a virtual employee.

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter with WFH tips and opportunities. While you’re at it, tell a friend. The friends that grow together stay together (or something like that…). :)

Author

Kristina Butler is a Certified HR Professional and FT Virtual Recruiter for a major financial services firm. As the working mother of two and the working daughter of aging parents, she understands the importance of landing an opportunity with the ideal compensation and work-life balance.

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